Theodolite



Nqv. 28, 1944. H. R. LRSEN ETAL 2,363,877

THEODOLITE Filed Feb. 11, 1943 sheets-sheet 2 Fit-3.4-

Cttorneg Patented Nov. 2 8,

'rnEonomE Haroldl R. Larsen and Jolm B. Sonderman, Troy, N. Y., assignors to W. & L; E., Gurley, Troy, 'N. Y., a corporation of New York y Application February 1121943, Serial No. 475,540

16 Claims.

,'I'his'invention relates to optical systems for reading graduated circles. These systems can be used to read the graduated circles of various geometricalinstruments, but have had their chief field of commercial use in surveying inpreciseV transits and theostruments such as dolites.

The basic principle underlying these systems is the production of'two juxtaposed images of two portions of the graduated circle spaced apart 180, and measurement by means of an optical ,micrometer of the displacement of one of these images necessary to cause register of the graduations appearing in the two images. By correcting a primary reading (taken directly from one image) by the micrometer reading, a precise reading of the angular position of the graduated circle may be had.

Advantages of these systems are that registration can be visually determined with great precision; reading diametrically opposite points averages out any error arising from minute eccentricity of the graduated circle; and the readings of two circles can be taken through a single optical micrometer by the use of a single read- -ing telescope. This telescope can be located with its eyepiece adjacent the eyepiece of the main telescope.

In the prior art devices, limitations imposed by the size and form of the surveying instrument have been critical, and the accuracy' theoreticallyattainable has not been achieved. Also, the cost'of these instruments has been excessive because they were so designed that it was impossible to avail of economies inherent in mass production of parts.

The present invention offers advantages in several important respects, as follows:

` 1. The optical micrometer comprises two sets of reversely arranged wedge prisms. The iirst set diverts the image rays. The. secondset restores the original direction. One of the two sets is xed and the other is movable in the direction of the axis of the optical system, where this extendsvertically within a` portion of the reading (in the reading telescope through which the images oi the graduated circleV are observed) the actual position of the movable prisms. In prior art devices the micrometer reading has been taken from some mechanically related part which moves the optical elements of the micrometer, and hence does not always `precisely indicate their true position. i

3. The optical system for reading two graduated circles comprises the reading telescope and three unitary sub-assemblies, each ofY which is permanently mounted on a supporting element which is removable from the surveying instruerances, full interchangeability of sub-assemblies can be secured by permissible adjustment of components of the sub-assembly.

4. The entire optical micrometer0 is comprised within a single one of the three sub-assemblies and hence may be checked for performance as a unit and while it is removed from the instrument and yconsequently iscompletely accessible.,

, As indicating the precision already attained,V the invention has been successfully embodied in a. theodolite whose graduated circles are four frame which supports 'the telescope trunnion.

Thispermits a long adjustment path and precise guiding of the moving prisms, with consequent precision in determining the .position of the prisms. The arrangement of the prisms so that the rays leaving the micrometer are restored to their'original direction renders the micrometerindiierent to the focusing adjustments of the reading telescope.

2. The precisionjso secured is preserved by inches in fdiameter. 'I'hese can be read without interpolation to one second of arc.

The-invention as so embodied will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical axial section of the theodolite with its telescope pointed at the zenith.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the optical micrometer sub-assembly removed from the instrument.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the sub-assembly comprising the reading unit for the hori-` circle-reading optical system omitting those,

' lenses.

prisms which have simple reflecting functions (except the switch prism).

Fig. 8 indicates the image as it appears in the reading telescope when reading 0', 55".

Fig, 9 is a similar View, for a reading of 1, 3l', 12.8".

Because the various prisms, though important in the practical embodiment of this concept, tend to obscure the basic optical system used for reading the graduated circle, reference will rst be made to the simplified diagram, Fig. '7. On this gure the elements will be identiiied by legends supplemented by the reference numerals hereinafter used in the detailed description, so that the basic elements may readily be identiiied in the other gures.

In Fig. 7 the arrow V represents a graduation on the vertical circle andarrow vH a graduation on the horizontal circle. Each is eiiectively spaced a distance f from a corresponding one of two identical reading lenses 64 and l5. The focal length of each lens 64, 'I5 is f. There are respective associated lenses 66 and 'I6 which also are identical with one ano-ther. The reading unit 64, 6G is shown optically associated with the micrometer and the reading telescope unit. The reading unit 15, 'I6.may` be substituted in optically the same relation by removing the switch prism 6l which is movably mounted to permit it to be alternatively 'effective and inactive;

The separation of lenses 'I5 and 16 is less than the separation of lenses 64 and 66, and can be so adjacent images of diametrically opposite portions of its graduated circle, there being dividing prism systems (omitted from Fig. 7) between each circle and the corresponding system of reading The optical micrometer unit displaces these two .images in opposite directions transverse to the image graduations and is adjustable to Vary the displacement. It includes means to measure the displacement necessary to secure register of the image graduations.

. The optical micrometer comprises, in the order stated, a pair of fixed wedge'prisms 85, 86, ar-n raged side by side, base to apex, one alecting each image, the pair acting to divert the two setsof imagerays, a similar but reversely arranged pair of movablewedge prisms 81, 88 acting to restore the original direction, coincidence prisms SI, 92 at the focal plane F-F, and a field lens 93.

The movable wedge prisms are guided along the optical axis, and their eiective range lof adjustment is that which will product a relative displacement of the viewed graduation images equal to one graduation interval. -Hence proportional parts of a graduation interval can be determincd by reading the position of the prisms on a graduated scale whose length equals the effective range oi adjustment. The reading is taken when the prisms have been set to cause register of the graduations in the two images. This optical micrometer is an important feature of the invention, individually and in combination with the reading telescope. v

The function of the coincidence prisms is to deect the images so that the ends of the graduationsin the two images meet on a straight line, thus affording an optical boundary. The coinment frame or alidade cidence prisms also serve to assure proper relation of the ray paths at the exit pupil. The two images move respectively in opposite directions when the micrometer is adjusted, and their motions are parallel with the line on lwhich they meet. the graduations of one series aline or register with those of the other.

The reading telescope is a conventional unit comprising objective 91 and ocular 98, as indicated. It is desirably located parallel with the main telescope of the instrument so that their eyepieces are adjacent. A pair of reflecting prisms (not shown in Fig. 7) are interposed in the optical path between the reading telescope and the eld lens to permit tilting of the telescope. v

The carriage which guidesvthe movable pair of wedges also carries a longitudinally extending transparent graduated scale 89 whose position is read against an index through the telescope and field lens. To permit this, an ol'set prism is associated with the eld lens, so as to affect only part of the field. This, with a. reading lens and two reflecting prisms, causes an image of the graduated scale to appear at one side of the field of view in the reading telescope, where it may be iread against a xed index. These parts are not included in Fig. 7.

To reconcile the dimensional requirements of such ,an optical system with the form and dimensions of a theodolite of small size and light weight, and tosecure from two diierent graduated circles readings which are appropriate in direction and can be read from one point always in the same way, requires the use of reflecting prisms whose form and arrangement is more significant than their casual omission from Fig. '7 might suggest.

The general structure of the theodolite is shown in suiiicient detail in Fig. 1, no novelty being here claimed forthe theodolite as such. Statements of direction made in describing the instrument are to be interpretedas referring to Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1 a conventional base I0 supports a conventional three-screw leveling head II. An optical plumb bob" of known form is indicated as comprising a telescope I2 and reiiecting prism I3. The leveling head carries the bearing member I4 on which coaxial vertical bearings are formed for. the horizontal circle and the instru- This common axis is the vertical axis of the instrument.

The horizontal graduated circle I5 is supported on hub I6 which turns on the conical bearing II formed externally on member I4. The upper face of the peripheral annular boss I8 has a circular series of radial graduations which in the actual embodiment are at twenty minute intervals, forming what is called the horizontal limb. The hub I6 carries a circular series of rack teeth I9, for a purpose to be described.

The member I 4 is formed with an internal conical bearing 2|, coaxial with conical'bearing I1,

and in bearing 2I turns the supporting spindle 22 The optical components of -the sub-assembly which comprises the reading unit for the horizontal circle.

The frame 23 has bearings 26 for the support- The reading adjustment is correct when hand one can be used to permit' passage of light r to illuminatethe cross hairsl (not shown), and the right hand one is used to permit the'micrometer scale imageand gradutaedl circle Vimages to be viewed by the reading telescope whose tube 28 is adjacent the main'telescope and moves therewith.

The vertical graduated circle 3| is carried by a hup a2 axe to the end of the left hand trun-` nion 21. The outer plane face of the peripheral annularboss 33 has a circular series Vof radial graduations at twentyminute intervals, forming what is called'the vertical limb. `The intervals in the .two limbsmust be the same. The horizontal limb is graduated clockwise in one series through 360 degrees. The vertical limb4 is grad'- uated similarly with zero where the .telescope is directed at the zenith, the measured angle in.

relatively to Fig. l.-

creasing as, the direct telescope' isv depressed from thezenith setting'.V Y I As clearly indicated in Figli-the two'trunnion bearings 26 are carried by' respective hollow standards. The right hand standard encloses a chamber 34 accessible by -removing the cover plate 38. A plate 38 releasably attached to frame 23 carries the optical micrometer assembly which is completely housed in chamber 34` The left hand standard encloses a chamber 31 accessible upon removal -of cover plate- 38. In

' lchamber 31 land overlying vertical circle'3l is a nal is retained 'by a cap of thin sheet metal not visible in the drawings. Yoke' 42.carries the reading prisms 4of the reading unit for the vertical circle. At the top of the yoke 42 is a sensitive level 43, which .is used to level, and thus precisely -zero'the reading prisms after the instrument as The reading lens system for the scope on the horizontal axis, a clamp arm 81 is swiveled on the right hand trunnion 21. It may be clamped to the trunnion #by turning clamp screw 58 (which extends'through a slot in the frame 23). 2A. conventional tangent screw (not shown) reacts upon arm 81 at 88.

The arrangement of the circle-reading optics will now be described, referring to Figures 6 and l. In Fig. 6 the two graduated circles are schematically indicated. The view is in perspective looking obliquely to .the right and downward `All supporting and masking parts are omitted.

In Fig. 6 light paths are traced by broken lines with arrow heads at intervals. The lines L,L' indicate the generalpaths of light to illuminate opposite portions of the horizontal circle and I, I' the paths of light to illuminate opposite portions of the vertical circle. 'I'he lines D, D' and A, A' trace the light paths from opposite points on the vertical and horizontal circles, respectively. Beyond the'v switch prism, the paths D and A continue alternatively as path C and similarly paths D' andA' continue alternatively as path C'. The line M represents the path of light -from the micrometer scale.

The reading unit Afor' the vertical prises two similar reading prisms 8|, 82, 'a reflecting prism 83, lens 84, Dove prism 65, lens 88 and switch. prism 81. 'I'his is shown in Figs. 3 and 4 in its active position in which it relates the system just identified tothe micrometer. It is the path I, I'. l

a whole is leveled by means of the leveling head.

-This ilnal precise adjustment is made by a tangent screw 44 of conventional form. (see Fig. 4) which engages a pendant arm 45 onyoke 42.

The prism unit `48, swiveled in cover plate 38 is used to read the level 43. It may be turned to ,permit'the'level to be read from the front or back of the instrument.

Fixed toframe 23 and housing the horizontal circle `and its h ub is a pendant generallyconical sleeve 41. At its lower end this has a flange 48 concentric with thevvertical axis-and encir' cled by the.' clamping band 48. be actuated by a tangentscrew providing familiar meansv for slowly turning the instrument about the vertical axis. This mechanism is com;

mon in the art and details'A of the tangent screw and clamp arenot illustrated.

To turn the horizontal circle, for which neither slow-'motion adjustment nor clamp is necessary,

a pinion mechanismis mounted in bushing 8|. A shaft 82 Vcarries a pinion 53, normally 'disengaged from rack teeth I9, but urged toward engagement by the coil compression spring 84 which reacts between the bushing' and the nger wheel 'I'his band may' indicated in dotted lines in the same position in Fig. 6. It ,can be shifted to an inactive posi-` tion. Illumination is secured by daylight from the hinged and swiveled reflector 88 (or from a suitable articial vsource similarly located). This light by-passes the prism 83 and follows interchanged by- Dove prism 85, this interchange i being eiected in order that bothgraduated`cir cles can be read in the same sense. l

The reading unit for the horizontal circle comprises similar reading 'prisms 1| and 12 with auxiliary 'reflecting'prisms 13 and 14 cemented to `their outerlends (see Fig. 3), and the lenses 15,. and 18. To render this system effective, switch prism 81 must be shifted out of the-optical paths A, A. 'I'he optical characteristics arethe same as those of the system used with the vertical circle, but the auxiliary prisms 13, 14 are necessary,

because prisms 1|, 12 are offset to clear the openfrom any suitable source, natural or artificial, f

v follows the path L, L' through reilecting prism 11, vertically through hollow spindle 22 `amil lens i 18 to prism 18 (see also Fig. 3) whence it is reflected bythe illuminating prisms 8| and 82 `longitudinally through reading prisms 1| and 12', j

which direct it through prisms 13, 14 to the grad- 'l -uated circle, in boss I8.

Depending on the position of switch prism 81,

' the rays from one or another circle follows the 88.- A hinged latching cap 56, when closed, holds f' the wheel 55 in its normal inner position with the( pinion disengaged. p

For slow motion and for paths C, C through reilecting prisms 881, 83 and 84 and thence through respective fixed. wedge prisms 85, 88 and respective movable wedge prisms 81, 88. These last prisms are guided to circle commove in the direction of the vertical portions of paths C, C and carry a graduated transparent scale 89.

The coincidence prisms 9|, 92 are at the focal plane of the system. I

The purpose of the field lens indicated'by the numeral 93 in the simplied diagram of Fig. '1 is to form images on the objective lens 91 of the reading telescope. Actually there are three such images, two of which are formed alternatively, depending on the position of the .switch prism 61. When this switch prism is in active position the iield lens produces an image of lens 66 on a portion of lens 91. When the switch prism is inactive, an image of lens 16 is formed on the same portion of lens 91. Irrespective of the position of the switch prism 61, an image of lens |03 of the micrometer scale reading system is formed on another portion of lens 91.

To meet requirements as to the relative posi-l tions of lens |03 and the two lenses 66 and 16 in the particular instrument illustrated, it was desirable to construct the field lens in two parts and the two parts are' indicated on Figs. 1, 2 and 6 (in which alone they are visible) by the reference letters 93a and 93h. The part 93a is associated with the system which, according to the position of the switch prism 61, reads either the vertical limb or the horizontal limb. The part 93b` is associated with the system which reads the micrometer scale 89. C

The image of the lens |03 is formed simultaneously with the images of the lenses 66 and 16. The system is so arranged that the reading telescope 29. affords two adjacent images, as indicated in Fig. 8. The image Within the upper `rectangle in Fig. 8 may be the image of either of the limb graduations, depending on thel position of the switch prism 61. The image in the lower rectangle in Fig. 8 is the image of micrometer scale 89.

Again referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 6, the part 93a of the eld lens is mounted below and cemented to the reecting prism 94 in the paths CC.` The part 93h of the field lens is mounted beneath and cemented to the offset prism 95.

Prism 94 with prism 96 permits tilting of the telescope Whose objective appears at 91 and ocular 4and mounted as a unit on plate 36 is best shown in Figs. l, 2 and 5. The plate 36 is attached to,

the vertical face of one of the lugs on plate 24 and to portions of the `alidade 2 3.

The prism 83 is mounted in a bracket |05 attached to the plate at its lower end. The prism 84 is clamped in the adjacent yoke |06 and the wedges 85 and 86 are cemented to the face of the prism 84. The prism |04 is heldin a clamp |01 also attached to the lower end of the plate, and provided with a mount |08 for the lens |03.

A carriage |09 slides in vertical ways III, I |2 and carries the transparent graduated scale 89. A plate I |3v supported by lugs I I4 projecting from the plate 36 carries the prisms I and |02 `(see Figs. 1 and 5) between which the scale 89 moves.

that the optical distances from any chosen face` of prism 94 to the index and to the focal plane of prisms 9|, 92 are equal.

Assuming the limbs are graduated in 2D minute intervals, the graduations on scale 89 cover a range of ten minutes; i. e. there are ten intervals of one minute each, each subdivided into seconds.

The carriage |08 carries at its upper end the wedge prisms 81, 88, which are held by-clips as best shown in Fig. 2.

The coincidence prisms 9|, 92 are clamped in yoke Ils by tubular clamp screw Ils. A mask I1 overlies the prisms. The index against which the, limb graduationsfare read is on the focal plane immediately below this mask (see Fig. 2). Thus, if the second location suggested above for the micrometer index is used, both indexes will be similarly related to the optical system of the reading telescope'in tube 29. 'I he prisms 94 and 95 are respectively held by mounts ||8 and II9. To each prism is cemented the corresponding por'- tion 93a, 93h of the field lens.

The carriage |09 has rack teeth |2| .along one edge. A pinion |22 engages these teeth and is journaled in a yoke |23 pivoted on screw |24.l A leaf spring |25 urges the pinion into mesh so that all back-lash isgtaken up.v A knurled knob` |26 outside plate 35 is used to turn the pinion and thus adjust the micrometer by shifting the carriage |09. 7

The arrangement of the parts mounted as a unit on plate 24 is best shown in detaii in Fig. 3, and to a limited extent in Fig. 4. 'lFormed as a unit with the base are the three lugs 25 to which the alidade 23 is connected by screws. One` such screw is shown at |21 in Fig. 1. y

Within the space afforded by the -lugs is a tubular housing |28 with lateral wing extensions |29. Spaced 4from these suiciently to receive the prisms 1|, 12 are lugs |3|, |32, the latter having an aperture |33 for the passage of light from prism to prism 83. Clips |34 retain the prisms.

. The extension prisms' 13 and 14 overlie spaced supporting extensions formed on the periphery of/ plate 24, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

A housing '|35 encloses p rism. 19 and lens 18. The lenses 15 and 16 are carried by mounts threaded into tubular housing V|28 (see Fig. 1).4

.The prism 80 is held by 'clip |36 connected by screws to the tops of posts which are integral with plate 24 (Figs. 3 and 4).

Guide ways |31 (see Figs. -3 and 4) are formed as an integral extension of' tubular housing |28 and receive a horizontally slidable carriage |38 in .A mount |42 clamps the prism 63 at its upper end and houses. immediately below the prism, the

lens 84 'see Fig. 1). At its lower end it houses lens II (see Fig. 1).v These lenses are in threaded focusingV lmounts of the form illustrated with lenses 1 5 and 16 in Fig. 1, but this detaills conventional and hence is not'illustrated. The Dovel justment of the levelinghead Thusthe precision .of the sensitive level |43 is availed f to assure accurate zeroing of the instrument in reading vertical angles. The adjustment so made is '20 so slight that the optical system for reading the limb is not deranged. The part |45 is a double prism coincidence device` for reading the level bubble for which no novelty is claimed.

The method of reading the horizontal and vertical limbs can now be described. Since the method is the same for each limb, only one need be explained. 'Hence, assume that prism-61 is retracted so that the images on the upper rectangle of Figs. 8 and 49 are'images of the gradua tions on boss I 8 of horizontal limb I5.

If oneflooks through the reading telescope while 4 slowly turning the alidade on the vertical axis; the

upper and lower graduations will appear to move horizontally in opposite directions at equal rates.

Hence their relative speed of motion will be twice ltheir individual Speedo! motion past thel index arrow. Thus, ii?- the limb is graduated in minute intervals, coincidences will occur every 10 minutes of arc. 1 v

.Assumenow a setting whose angle isto be read.` Only rarely will vthe angle be an even multiple of 10 minutes, and so it is assumed that the graduations in the two series do not register. The next operation is to turn knob |28 until the images register. In this operationalso .the images will move at equal ratesin opposite directions.

Depending on the anguiar setting, Vthis wiii oecur in either of two ways: (l) The graduations will coincide when two of them aline with the in- -dex as in Fig. 8, or (2) the two will coincide whey:

the index bisects an interval as in Fig. 9.

tical sub-assemblies, and to explain the simplicity and precision of the optical micrometer.' 4Modi. i

iications are possible and a few will be mentioned. In the micrometerit is not essential that the second set of wedge prisms be the movable set. Except for mechanical restrictions imposed -by otherpartait might desirably be the other way round. i

The use of two Wedges reversely set is desirable because two' images are adjusted, and for a given'v deiiection by the prisms the travel of the carriage can be halved. However, the eifectcan be had in a useful degree with one fixed and one moving wedge prisms, one restoring the direction from which the other produces deflection.

prism carriage, rather than (for example), the position of the adjusting knob |26 assures accuracy and-greatly facilitates taking the reading Some of the advantages of v the micrometer canbe had withmodied reading Y, arrangements.

through telescope 29.

l. An angle-measuring device comprising in` combination a circular limb graduated to produce uniform angle-delining intervals; an .optical system for producingv two juxtaposed images of diametrically opposite portions of said limb, the limb fraction' of saidinterval; and -a single viewing In 'the rst case, read the upper scale image l against the index and add `the micrometer reading. Thus Fig. .8 reads 0" (on the upper scale) +0' (on the micrometer image) or. 0, 0', 55".

In the second case, read the value ofthe nearest division of the upper image to the left .of the index, increased by l0 minutes for the half interval to the index plus the reading ot the micrometer. Thus Fig. 9 reads -1, 20 (on the upper scale) +10' because the index indicates half a .20' interval) plus. l',- 12.8" (themicrometer read; ing) making a total of 1, 31', 12.8"

The aboveA characteristics arise from the fact that 20 minute graduation intervals produce co incidences every lO'minutes, and these will occur at. or 1'0 minutes away from, the .xed index alternately. The micrometer has a. 'range' of 10 minutes, and its reading must be increased 10 minutes-if the index splits a 20 minute interval but not if the index is on the graduation.'

The complete instrument in a preferred form 'has been described in considerable detail, to dev elop the possibility and desirability of using. op-

and said optical system being relatively rotatable about the axis ofjthe limb; means forming an index against which one of saidimages may be read in terms of full intervals; at least one prism in'- terposed in thepath of light which forms one of said images; a 'carriage supporting and guiding said prism inthe direction of the path of the image-forming light, displacement of the prism along said path causing relative motion, of said -iamges suiiicient to cause register of the image graduations; a' graduated scale and related index,

one of which moves bodily with said`prism, for .indicating the position of the prism in terms of a means for said images andthe first named index and. also for said scale and related index- 2. An angle-measuring device comprising in combination a circular limb graduated to produce uniform angle-ieiining4 intervals; an opticalsystem for producing two juxtaposed images of diametrically opposite .portions of said limb, the limb and said optical system being relatively rotatable about the axis of the limbs; means forming an index against which one of said images may. be read in terms'of full intervals; two prisms serially 'interposed in the patl'iof lightA which forms one of said images, the first of ysaid prisms serving to ,deect lsaid light and the second serving to re store .the direction from whichvdeflecti'on oc-v curred; a carriage supporting, and' guiding one of said' prisms in the direction of the path of the image-forming light, displacement of the prism along said path .causing relative motion of said images sullicient to' cause register ofthe image graduations; a graduated scale and related index,

one of which moves-bodily with said carriagesupported prism, for indicating the position of the prism in terms of a' fraction of 'said interval;

' and a single viewing means for said images and the first named index and also for related index.

3., An Aangle-measuring device comprising in combination a circular limb graduated to produce uniform angle-definingintervals; an 'optical syssaid scale and tem for producing two juxtaposed images of diametrically opposite portions of said limb, the limb and said optical system being relatively ro- .The feature of reading the actual position oi the tatable about the axis of the limb; means forming an index against which one of said images may be read in terms of full intervals; a pair of reversely arranged prisms interposed in respective paths of light forming said images; a carriage for guiding said prisms inthe direction of the path of the image-forming light, displacement of the prismsalong said path causing relative motion of said images sufiicient to cause register of the image graduations; a graduated scale and related index, one of which moves bodily with said prisms, for indicating the position of said prisms in terms of a fraction of said intervals; and a single viewing means for said images and the first named index and also for said scale and its related index.

4. An angle-measuring device, comprising in combination, a circular limb graduated to produce uniform angle defining intervals; an optical system for projecting two juxtaposed images of diametrically vopposite portions of 'said limb, the limb and said optical system being relatively rotatable about the axis of the'limb; means forming an index against wliich one of said images may be read in terms of full intervals; a pairY of wedge prisms set base to apex in the paths of projection of re- -spective images and serving vto deflect both paths;

' a second pair of reversely set prisms serving to ject, on a focal plane, juxtaposed images of diametrically opposite portions of said limb; two pairs of wedge prisms interposed in the optical path between the lens system and the focal plane,

the prisms of each pair being set base to apex so that they produce opposite deflections of the rays formingrespective images, and the other pair being reversely arranged relatively to the r'stso as to restore the directions from which the first produces deflection, one of said pairs being fixed and the'other movable in the direction of the optical axis to cause proportional image displacement; means for indicating the adjusted position of the movable pair as a func- .tion of graduation interval of the limb; and a telescope for viewing the juxtaposed images.

6. The combination of a circular graduated limb; a limb reading system comprising a lens system with field-dividing prisms'arranged to project, on afocal plane, juxtaposed images of diametrically opposite portions of said limb; two pairs of wedge prisms-interposed in the optical path between the limb reading system and the focal p1ane,.the prisms of each pair being set base to apexso that they produce opposite deflections of the rays forming respective images, and the second pair being reversely arranged relatively to the rst so as to restore the directions from which the iirst produces deflection, one of said pairs being xed and the othermovable in the direction of the optical axis to cause proportional image displacement; a graduated scale and coacting index, one of which moves with the movable pair of wedge prisms to indicate the adjusted position thereof as a function of graduation interval of the limb; means for forming an image of said scale and index; and

. a single telescope for Viewing the juxtaposed ima ages of the limb and theimage of said scale and index.

'7. The combination defined in claim 6 in whichthere are two graduated limbs and two limb reading systems, one associated with each limb, and in which shiftable optical means are provided to relate the limb readingsystems selectively with the pairs of prisms and the telescope.

8. A magnifying optical system for producing two juxtaposed images of uniform graduations; two pairs of wedge prisms interposed in said system, the prisms of each pair being setbase tc apex so that they produce opposite deflections and the two sets being reversely arranged as to each other so that the `second pair restores the direction from which the first causes deection, the vprisms being so interposed in the optical system that each prism of a pair affects the ray pencil forming a corresponding image; means for adjusting one set of prisms `in the direction of the axis of the optical system to cause register of the graduations of the two images; and a graduated scale for indicatingl directly the adjusted position of the movable pair of prisms as a function of the graduation interval.

9. A magnifying optical system for producingl two juxtaposed images of uniform graduations; two pairs of wedge prisms interposed in said system, the prisms of each pair being set base to apexl 'so that they produce opposite deflections land the two sets being'reversely arranged as to each other so that the second pair restores the direction from which the first causes deflection, the prisms being so interposed in the optical system that each prism of a pair affects the ray pencil forming a corresponding image; means for adjusting one set of prisms in the direction of the axis of the optical system to cause regis' ter of the graduations of 'the two images; a graduated scale for indicating directly lthe adjusted position of the movable pair of prisms as afunction of the graduation interval; and a single viewing v telescope for viewing said images and said graduated scale.-

10. A device for reading the horizontal and vertical circles of engineering instruments which include an alidade, such reading mechanism comprising an optical system made up of three optically related sub-assemblies, one of said sub-asseinblies comprising optical units which are normally ixed and serve to project related images4 of the horizontal circle, allmounted within the structure of the alidade, and the other two subassemblies including parts which are shifted as an incident to their use one serving t0 project related images of the vertical circle, and the other,

serving as an optical micrometer as to either set of projected images, the last named two assemblies being individually mounted on independent bases which are releasably attached in definite relationship to the alidade and may be removed therefrom without dismantling the instrument proper.

11,-A devicefor reading the horizontal and vertical circles of engineering instruments which include such circles and an alidade, such read- 'ing mechanism comprising a first sub-assembly y including a pair of reading prisms and image reading prisms and imageprojecting lenses in" reading relation to the vertical circle, fthe reading prisms being angularly adjustable on the base plate, and the lenses being fixedly mounted on the base plate; and a third sub-assembly including a base plate and an optical micrometer mounted thereon, said micrometer including movableelements which are adjusted in use, the

base plates carrying the second and third subassemblies being removable from the alidade without dismantling the instrument; and means for optically relating the third sub-assembly to each of the others.

A12. A surveying instrument comprising an alidade mounted to turn on a vertical axis, said alidade having a hollow base and hollow upstanding frame members; a telescope mounted on a horizontal axis on said frame members; graduated circles, one attached to said telescope tov indicate the angular position thereof and the other associated with said vertical axis to indi cate the angular position of the alidade thereon; and an optical system for reading said graduated circles comprising as a first sub-assembly an optical micrometer unit constructed as a complete from as a unit without dismounting the telescope vvor the' alidade; a second sub-assembly'for reading the vertical circle and comprising an loptical reading unit on its own base mounted in the mounted on a horizontal axis on the alidade; a graduated circle mounted on the sighting device to indicate the angular position thereof in said horizontal axis; and a reading system for said circles comprising three unitary sub-assemblies, each rigidly mounted on said alidade in coactive relation to another, and each removable independently ofthe others, the rst sub-assembly being an optical micrometer comprising a base, prisms nxed on said base and defining an optical axis, a carriage guided on said base in the direction of the optical axis, prisms carried by the carriage along said axis and means for indicating the position of the carriage; the second and third sub-assemblies being image projecting units for respective graduated circles and comi prising each a base, reading prisms carried by said base for transmitting image light from die. metrically opposite portions of said circles, and

lens systems associated with said 'reading prisms and arranged to project composite images of said circles; and light switching means adjustable to cause the lens systems of the second and third sub-assemblies selectively to project image forming light along the axis of the optical micrometer.

-unit on its o wn base mounted within one of said upstanding frame members and removable therethe alidade on the vertical axis; a sighting devicev .the hollow base and the other frame member, and reilecting prisms are included in at least one of the sub-assemblies selectively to relate the second or third sub-assemblies optically 'with the first.

15. Ina surveying instrument, the combination of a leveling head; Van alidade mounted on a vertical axis on-said head; a graduated circle on lsaid head for indicating the angular position of the alidade on the vertical axis; a sighting device -mounted on a horizontal axis on the alidade; a graduated circle mounted on the sighting device to indicate the angular position4 thereof in said horizontal axis; and a lreading system for said circles comprising three unitary sub-assemblies,

each rigidly mounted on said alidade in coactive relation to one another, and each removable independently of the others, the ilrst sub-assembly being an optical micrometer comprising a base, prisms lfixed on said base and defining an optical axis, a carriage guided on said base in the direction oi the optical axis, prisms carried by the carriage along said axis and means for indicating the position of the carriage; the second sub-assembly being an image projecting unit comprising a base, reading prisms ilxedly mounted thereon for transmitting image light from diametrically opposite portions of the iirst named graduated circle and a ilxedly mounted lens system associated with said prisms to project a composlteimage o! said circle; the third sub-assembly being an image projecting unit comprising a base, reading prisms for 'transmitting image light from diametrically opposite portions'of the second named graduated circle and a lens system associated with said prisms to project a composite image of said circle, said lens system being xed on said base and said reading ing light-along the axis of the optical micrometer.

16. The combination of claim 15 in which the lalidade has a hollow base and hollow upstanding frame members on which the sighting device is -plvoted,. and in which the first sub-assembly is mounted in one frame member, the second and third are mounted respectively in the hollow base and the other frame member, reilecting prisms being included in at least one of the subassemblies to relate the sub-assemblies optically with one another, and the third assembly including limiting means to indicate the correct adjustment of its reading prisms.

HAROLD R. LARSEN. i JOHN B. SONDERMAN. 

